By KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER and MIKE KEEGAN, CHIEF SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 12:11 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 18:45 GMT, 1 January 2026

Enzo Maresca has departed Chelsea – and the club hope to appoint a new manager within days, Daily Mail Sport understands.

A spectacular breakdown in the relationship between the Italian and his bosses at Stamford Bridge had left his position untenable.

Maresca’s exit follows a turbulent period which has seen the side win just one of their last seven Premier League matches.

Chelsea have a small shortlist which includes bookmakers favourite Liam Rosenior. A plan is being made for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City but Maresca’s replacement is expected to be in place in the near future and could even oversee Wednesday’s derby at Fulham.

Daily Mail Sport understands Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola is also being considered. Former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, who is now at Marseille but was an option before the club appointed Maresca, is not on the shortlist.

Cesc Fabregas and John Terry are not thought to feature on the shortlist.

Enzo Maresca has left Chelsea after a poor run of results and the club hope to make an appointment shortly - with Liam Rosenior (right) on the shortlist

The Blues have only managed one Premier League victory in their last seven fixtures 

Club legends Cesc Fabregas (left) and John Terry (right) are not on the shortlist

The writing had been on the wall for Maresca after a spectacular outburst in which he claimed he had endured ‘his worst 48 hours’ following a victory over Everton.

It is thought that the claim related to serious friction between the manager and the medical department and a continuing difference of opinion over the management of injured players and their returns to action.

Officials were left seriously unimpressed with those public comments and a number of other episodes, including: